Chapter 028: Fierce Spirits

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Shang Weiting, a second-tier ability user.” Chen Xiao didn’t reveal his real name. After all, though this was an ability world, all ability users came from Earth. Moreover, he had just offended the Murong family, so it was better to be cautious.
Chen Xiao’s mental strength was equivalent to that of a third-tier sorcerer, but due to his lack of combat experience, it wasn’t an overstatement to call himself a second-tier ability user.
“A second-tier ability user?” The four of them—two men and two women—immediately lit up upon hearing Chen Xiao’s words. Among them, only one was a second-tier ability user; the other three were first-tier.
“Hello, I’m Lu Yan, a second-tier ability user,” said the man leading the group. “This is my brother Lu Feng, a first-tier ability user…”
Lu Yan began to introduce himself. Lu Yan and Lu Feng were twin brothers, while the two women, Zhang Ting and Ren Tong, were also first-tier ability users.
“I was wondering if you’d be interested in joining our team?” Lu Yan asked again. Having another second-tier ability user in the team would greatly increase their safety, as second-tier users were already considered skilled experts.
“How long will this exploration take?” Chen Xiao asked. It was Saturday, and he only had tomorrow to spare. If it took too long, he wouldn’t participate—after all, in his eyes, school was far more important than these things.
“One night. It’s 9 p.m. Earth time now. We’ll return by 7 a.m. tomorrow. The depths of this ability world are too dangerous for us to stay long,” Lu Yan replied.
In the eyes of ability users, the Ability Association was like the gateway to the ability world, with the depths lying beyond it.
“Okay, I’ll join,” Chen Xiao said. He wasn’t someone who hesitated. Since it wouldn’t take up his time, why not?
Besides, his mental strength was constantly nourished by his main divine entity, so skipping a few nights of sleep wasn’t a problem.
The four of them smiled upon hearing Chen Xiao agree to join.
“Then let’s set off,” Lu Feng said jokingly.
Chen Xiao nodded and followed the four of them deeper into the ability world.
“Brother Shang, if you come here alone in the future, remember to stay far away from forests like this. The dangers lurking here could even kill a third-tier ability user.”
That was what Lu Yan said as they passed through a small forest.
“What exactly is in this ability world? And what are you looking for here?”
Chen Xiao had already noticed that along the way, the stronger Lu Yan and Lu Feng kept vigilantly scanning the surroundings, while the weaker Zhang Ting and Ren Tong kept searching the ground for something.
“The terror of this ability world lies in its elusive fierce spirits and terrifying beasts. What we’re looking for are precious herbs and minerals here, or by hunting beasts to obtain their carcasses. These can be exchanged at the Ability Association for a large number of contribution points, which can then be traded for star coins.”

Lu Yan realized that Chen Xiao seemed unfamiliar with the world of supernatural abilities, so he patiently explained.
“A malevolent spirit?” Chen Xiao frowned. “Is that thing?”
Chen Xiao pointed behind them—a translucent ghost with only half a body floating toward the five of them. Its form flickered in and out of sight; if not for Chen Xiao’s extremely strong mental strength, it would have been impossible to detect its presence.
In fact, Chen Xiao had noticed it long ago, but he had thought it was just like those ghosts doing business at the market, posing no threat at all. But now, after hearing what Lu Yan said, Chen Xiao realized something was wrong—the thing’s eyes were blood red.
The four of them looked in the direction Chen Xiao indicated. Although the creature’s form was intermittent, it could still be detected upon close observation.
“A malevolent spirit!”
Their expressions changed. Lu Yan and Lu Feng quickly drew their weapons, protecting Zhang Ting and Ren Tong behind them.
Realizing it had been discovered, the malevolent spirit stopped charging straight at the five of them.
“A malevolent spirit equivalent to a second-tier supernatural ability user!” Lu Yan frowned. “Lu Feng, protect Zhang Ting and Ren Tong! Brother Shang, come with me to take care of this thing.”
With that, he charged toward the malevolent spirit.
“Waaah…”
The creature let out a shrill scream. Its half-body seemed to be dripping blood as it suddenly stretched out a pair of giant claws and attacked Lu Yan.
Lu Yan didn’t hesitate. Wielding a massive axe, he roared as he swung at the creature’s claws. At the same time, powerful earth energy burst forth from his body.
“This guy happens to be of the earth element. If I use my water element ability, it will be neutralized by his earth energy, causing both of us to drop a level. It’s better to leave him alone.” Chen Xiao shook his head helplessly. He stepped back slowly, understanding the principle of the five elements’ mutual restraint.
“Brother Shang, you…” The other three looked troubled seeing Chen Xiao retreat.
“My ability element is water, which directly counters Lu Yan’s ability. I wouldn’t be of any help and might even hold him back,” Chen Xiao explained.
Hearing this, the three also nodded helplessly. With conflicting ability elements, their combined strength was indeed less than Lu Yan’s alone.
At that moment, the battlefield changed again.
Lu Yan’s ability element was earth. Once his spiritual energy erupted, he was surrounded by powerful earth energy, as if carrying a giant turtle shell, making it impossible for the malevolent spirit to strike.
But Lu Yan’s speed was too slow; he couldn’t track the creature’s movements or injure it.
However, the malevolent spirit’s target wasn’t just Lu Yan. In its eyes, all blood-based beings were the same. Unable to break through Lu Yan’s defense, it suddenly disappeared, vanishing somewhere.
“Be careful, it’s coming.”
Chen Xiao’s mental strength kept watch over the malevolent spirit. Though it had disappeared suddenly, it couldn’t escape his mental detection.

“My strength must be greater than this thing’s,” Chen Xiao quickly assessed in his mind. But after fighting against that man in black from the Murong family before, he dared not rely solely on absolute strength anymore. Chen Xiao’s strength was stronger than that man’s, yet he was easily countered by him.

Seeing the guy getting closer and closer, Chen Xiao gritted his teeth. A blue glow flashed at the tips of his fingers as he raised his hand and swiftly drew shapes in the air.

Boom!

A huge water ball, over a meter in diameter, instantly formed in the air and shot straight at the monstrous spirit.

“Waaah!”

The monstrous spirit’s figure appeared abruptly, letting out a desperate scream.

Chen Xiao’s mental power had completely locked onto the spirit, leaving it no chance to dodge.

Bang!

With a loud noise, Chen Xiao’s water ball struck the spirit’s body. In the next moment, that once domineering creature was completely destroyed.

“It’s over this easily?”

Chen Xiao was stunned. He hadn’t expected this seemingly ferocious monster to be defeated so quickly by him.

The other four also stared at Chen Xiao in silence.

……